Chelsea transfer news: Henderson, Welbeck, Lacroix – why do Blues want older players now?

Owner Behdad Eghbali stated Chelsea would “tweak” their mannequin and add expertise to what he nonetheless believes is a robust core of younger players, together with Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill.

Welbeck becoming a member of Chelsea can be one other signal of a shift in technique.

Their transfer for him makes an attempt follows to signal 33-yr-outdated midfielder Granit Xhaka from Sunderlandwith the Black Cats refusing to promote the Switzerland captain.

Although the arrival of Rogers, 23, suits the membership’s most popular coverage of signing youthful players, he brings vital Premier League expertise.

The Blues are additionally anticipated to finish a £52m transfer for Lacroix, 26 – additional Premier League-ready expertise.

It is evident that Welbeck’s arrival would go away Chelsea with an abundance of attacking choices for a season when they aren’t concerned in European competitors so do not essentially want such assets.

At his age, Welbeck could also be content material to supply cowl for Joao Pedro, however the transfer would signify unhealthy information for a number of different forwards.

Nicolas Jackson is open to leaving, whereas Delap and Emmanuel Emegha had hoped to determine themselves beneath Alonso.

However, the Chelsea supervisor is getting what he needs: expertise and powerful personalities to handle shortcomings that contributed to the staff’s tenth-place end within the Premier League final season.

Additional reporting by Matt Jones